General Information

Macroptilium atropurpureum is an annual to perennial, deep-rooting legume. The twining stems can be 5 metres or more long and up to 5mm in diameter; they scramble over the ground and grow into other plants for support. Stems close to the ground may develop secondary roots, usually on light soils when the soil surface remains continuously moist for some weeks[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/

].

Properties

Other Uses Rating

Habit

Perennial

Height

2.00 m

Pollinators

Self, Insects

Self-fertile

Yes

Cultivation Status

Cultivated

Cultivation Details

The plant grows well from the subtropics with fairly cold winters to the seasonal tropics, succeeding in semi-arid areas but not doing so well in humid areas; it can be found at elevations up to 2,900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 32°c, but can tolerate 13 - 36°c[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[

Terse information on over 650 species of plants that grow in grassland, including trees, shrubs and perennial plants as well as grasses. Gives a brief description of the plant, its range and habitat and some of its uses.

].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used for the revegetation and stabilization of earthworks, and in road and railway cuttings and embankments[

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it has a somewhat hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Seed is generally sown in situ.

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